Apparatus and method for lithium-ion cells

ABSTRACT

A method including supporting a plurality of lithium-ion cells disposed within respective isolation chambers of a thermally insulating cell support structure, and disposing a thermal dissipation member between a housing and the plurality of lithium-ion cells so as to collectively form a heat sink with each lithium-ion cell of the plurality of lithium-ion cells and the housing, where the plurality of lithium-ion cells are disposed within the housing, the thermal dissipation member closes a respective open end of each of the respective isolation chambers to physically isolate each isolation chamber from each other isolation chamber, and the thermal dissipation member is thermally coupled to the plurality of lithium-ion cells so as to dissipate thermal energy from one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells to the housing and at least another of the plurality of lithium-ion cells, through the thermal dissipation member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/941,141 filed on Mar. 30, 2018, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The invention described herein was made in the performance of work underNASA Contract No. NNK14MA75C and is subject to the provisions of Section305 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (72 Stat. 435: 42U.S.C. 2457).

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The exemplary embodiments generally relate to lithium-ion cells and moreparticularly to dissipation of thermal energy from one or morelithium-ion cells.

2. Brief Description of Related Developments

Generally, lithium-ion battery pack technology is applicable to a broadrange of application platforms due to its high energy density comparedto, for example, nickel-cadmium batteries. The application platformsinclude, but are not limited to, aircraft, land vehicles, and spacesystems. The high energy density of a lithium-ion cell (which whenconsidered in combination with other lithium-ion cells may be referredto as a “battery pack”) may cause thermal runaway in the event of afailure of the lithium-ion cell. Battery design practices attempt tominimize causes of lithium-ion cell over-heating due to, for example,under-charging, over-charging, physical abuse, etc. However, flaws inthe lithium-ion cells, due to, e.g., the manufacturing process of thelithium-ion cells, may not be detected. These flaws may cause a shortwithin a lithium-ion cell which may cause thermal runaway of thelithium-ion cell.

Conventional solutions for preventing or mitigating thermal runaway of alithium-ion battery include the use of various materials to thermallyisolate one lithium-ion cell from another lithium-ion cell, such as whenthe lithium-ion cells are disposed in a battery pack having multiplelithium-ion cells coupled to each other. The thermal isolation ofindividual lithium-ion cells is intended to substantially prevent orlimit propagation of a single lithium-ion cell thermal runaway event toother lithium-ion cells in the battery pack. However, providing thermalisolation between the lithium-ion cells poses cooling issues withrespect to the cooling of the individual lithium-ion cells.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, apparatuses and methods, intended to address or solve atleast one or more of the above-identified problems or concerns, wouldfind utility.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may notbe claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure.

One example of the subject matter according to the present disclosurerelates to an apparatus comprising: a plurality of lithium-ion cells; acell support structure having a plurality of chambers, each of theplurality of chambers has at least one open end and is configured tosupport a respective lithium-ion cell; a housing in which the cellsupport structure is received; and a thermal dissipation member disposedbetween the cell support structure and the housing; wherein theplurality of lithium-ion cells are thermally coupled to the thermaldissipation member through a respective open end of a respectivechamber, and the thermal dissipation member is thermally coupled to thehousing.

Another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to an apparatus comprising: a plurality oflithium-ion cells; a housing in which the plurality of lithium-ion cellsare disposed; and a thermal dissipation member disposed between thehousing and the plurality of lithium-ion cells, the thermal dissipationmember being thermally coupled to the plurality of lithium-ion cells soas to dissipate thermal energy from one of the plurality of lithium-ioncells to at least another of the lithium-ion cells, at least partiallythrough the thermal dissipation member.

Still another example of the subject matter according to the presentdisclosure relates to a method for thermally managing a plurality oflithium-ion cells disposed within a housing, the method comprising:thermally coupling the plurality of lithium-ion cells to each otherthrough a thermal dissipation member disposed between the housing andthe plurality of lithium-ion cells; wherein thermal energy is dissipatedfrom one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells to at least another ofthe lithium-ion cells through at least the thermal dissipation member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described examples of the present disclosure in generalterms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein like referencecharacters designate the same or similar parts throughout the severalviews, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional exploded view of a portion of the apparatusof FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the portion of the apparatusillustrated in FIG. 3, along with magnified views of certain areas ofthe apparatus;

FIG. 4A is another cross sectional side view of the portion of theapparatus illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4B is still another cross sectional side view of the portion of theapparatus illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of electrical couplings betweenportions of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of electrical couplings betweenportions of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for thermally managinga plurality of lithium-ion cells disposed within a housing in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the aspects of the present disclosure provide foran apparatus 100, such as a lithium-ion battery pack, that may preventthermal runaway of a lithium-ion cell 110 within the apparatus 100 frompropagating to surrounding lithium-ion cells within the apparatus 100.The apparatus 100, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure,may provide lithium-ion cell-to-cell isolation while also dissipatingheat of the individual lithium-ion cells 110. For example, the apparatus100 includes a thermal dissipation member 130 that may satisfylithium-ion cell 110 heat rejection needs under normal operatingconditions of the lithium-ion cell 110. The thermal dissipation member130, at least in part, collects thermal energy generated by thelithium-ion cells 110 within the apparatus 100 and transfers the thermalenergy to a heat removal device, which may be one or more of a housing140 of the apparatus 100 and other lithium-ion cells 110 within theapparatus 100. In the event of a thermal runaway of a lithium-ion cell110, the lithium-ion cell-to-cell isolation and the dissipation ofthermal energy from the thermal runaway event to the heat removal devicemay prevent propagation of the thermal runaway to other lithium-ioncells 110.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the lithium-ioncells 110 described herein are cylindrical small cell lithium-ion cellssuch as, for example, 18650 lithium-ion cells or other suitable smallcell lithium-ion cells (e.g., 26650 lithium-ion cells, etc.). As anexample, the lithium-ion cells 110 have normal operating parameters ofabout −10° C. (about 14° F.) to about 45° C. (about 113° F.) duringcharge and about −10° C. (about 14° F.) to about 60° C. (about 140° F.)during discharge. The cell vent temperature of the lithium-ion cells 110may be about 90° C. (about 194° F.) to about 120° C. (about 248° F.).The thermal runaway temperature of the lithium-ion cells 110 may beabout 180° C. (about 356° F.) to about 200° C. (about 392° F.). Theaspects of the present disclosure may maintain lithium-ion celltemperatures within the normal operating ranges described above, whilepreventing (or reducing the likelihood of) single cell thermal runawayfrom propagating under abnormal operating conditions (such as atoperating temperatures above the normal operating parameters).

During normal operation (see the normal operating temperatures above) ofthe lithium-ion cells, the aspects of the present disclosure may providesufficient heat transfer from the one end (e.g., such as the negativeterminal 310, see FIG. 3) of the lithium-ion cells 110 to preventoverheating of the lithium-ion cells 110. As noted above, the thermaldissipation member 130 transfers thermal energy from the lithium-ioncells 110 one or more of the housing 140 and other lithium-ion cells110. The dissipation of thermal energy from one lithium-ion cell 110 toother lithium-ion cells 110 may reduce cell-to-cell thermal gradients.In the event one of the lithium-ion cells 110 enters a thermal runawaycondition, the thermal coupling of the lithium-ion cell 110 with thethermal dissipation member 130 provides for the heat load of the thermalrunaway event to be absorbed by the apparatus 100 (e.g., the housing 140and other lithium-ion cells 110 within the housing 140). The mass of thelithium-ion cells 110 within the housing 140 and the housing 140 maymaintain the remaining lithium-ion cells 110 (e.g., not experiencingthermal runaway) within the normal operating ranges described above.Thermal cell-to-cell isolation provided by the aspects of the presentdisclosure may prevent or reduce the likelihood of the thermal runawayevent from directly impacting adjacent lithium-ion cells 110. Theaspects of the present disclosure also provide a retainer plate 150 thatmay prevent or reduce the likelihood of, for example, one end (e.g., thepositive terminal 320, see FIG. 3) of the lithium-ion cell fromrupturing during thermal runaway. The retainer plate 150 may alsocontain at least some contents of the lithium-ion cell that exit thelithium-ion cell during the thermal runaway event and prevent or reducethe likelihood of the contents from spilling onto adjacent lithium-ioncells 110.

Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may or may not be claimed,of the subject matter according to the present disclosure are providedbelow.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the apparatus 100 includes a plurality oflithium-ion cells 110P, a cell support structure 120, a housing 140 inwhich the cell support structure is received, and the thermaldissipation member 130 disposed between the cell support structure 120and the housing 140. The cell support structure 120 includes a pluralityof chambers 127P. Each of the plurality of chambers 127P has at leastone open end 200, 201 (see FIG. 2) and is configured to support arespective lithium-ion cell 110. The cell support structure 120comprises walls 300 (FIG. 3) that form the plurality of chambers 127.The walls 300 are configured to thermally insulate a lithium-ion cell110 disposed in one of the plurality of chambers 127 from anotherlithium-ion cell 110 disposed in an adjacent chamber 127 of theplurality of chambers 127P (see FIGS. 3 illustrating a lithium-ion cell110 in one chamber 127 and an empty adjacent chamber 127, and FIG. 5illustrating lithium-ion cells 110 in adjacent chambers 127). In oneaspect, the walls 300 of the plurality of chambers 127P form a honeycombstructure or pattern 500 (see FIG. 5). In other aspects, the walls 300of the plurality of chambers 127P may have any suitable arrangementrelative to each other.

To provide the thermal isolation between adjacent cells 110, the cellsupport structure 120 may be constructed of any suitable material havingphysical properties such as, for example, electrical isolation of about3,000 kV/inch (about 1181 kV/cm) or greater, a thermal conductivity ofabout 0.23 BTU/hr-ft-° F. (about 1.3 W/m²-° C.) or less, a specific heatof about 0.52 BTU/lbm-° F. (about 2 kJ/kg-° C.) or greater, and amelting point of about 130° C. (about 266° F.) to about 140° C. (about284° F.). One suitable example of material of which the cell supportstructure 120 may be constructed is high-density polyethylene. The lowelectrical conductivity of the cell support structure 120 may preventlithium-ion cells 110 from shorting (e.g., prevent electrical contactbetween adjacent cells). The low thermal conductivity of the cellsupport structure 120 may prevent or reduce the likelihood of highlithium-ion cell temperatures (such as those noted herein) during athermal runaway event from impacting adjacent lithium-ion cells 110. Thehigh specific heat of the cell support structure 120 may absorb at leastsome of the thermal energy generated during a thermal runaway of atleast one lithium-ion cell 110 disposed in the cell support structure120. The melting point of the cell support structure 120 may be above atleast the normal operating temperatures of the lithium-ion cells 110.

The cell support structure 120 may be constructed as a monolithic memberinto which the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P are placed. In otheraspects, the cell support structure 120 may be constructed of two ormore cell support structure modules 121-125 (each module having aplurality of chambers 127P, FIG. 1) into which respective lithium-ioncell groups 111-115 are placed. The plurality of lithium-ion cells 110Pmay also be grouped into respective lithium-ion cell groups 111-115 whenthe plurality of lithium-ion cells are disposed in the monolithic cellsupport structure 120. It is noted that in FIG. 1 the cell supportstructure module 121 is illustrated with the plurality of chambers 127Pwhile the cell support structure modules 122-125 are only schematicallyillustrated but are substantially similar to cell support structuremodule 121. It is further noted that in FIG. 1 the lithium-ion cellgroup 111 is illustrated as including lithium-ion cells 110 while thelithium-ion cell groups 112-115 are only schematically illustrated butare substantially similar to lithium-ion cell group 111.

The lithium-ion cells 110 of each lithium-ion cell group 111-115 may becoupled to each other so that each lithium-ion cell group 111-115produces any suitable predetermined voltage, such as (for example) about36V. The lithium-ion cells 110 may also be coupled to each other so thatthe respective lithium-ion cell group 111-115 remains partiallyoperative after one or more lithium-ion cells 110 of the respectivelithium-ion cell group 111-115 suffers a thermal runaway event.Arranging the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P in the lithium-ioncell groups 111-115 may also maintain operability of the apparatus 100in the event one or more of the lithium-ion cell groups 111-115 enduresa thermal runaway event.

The plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P are thermally coupled to thethermal dissipation member through a respective open end (e.g., such asend 201, see FIG. 2) of a respective chamber 127. For example, thethermal dissipation member 130 is coupled to the plurality oflithium-ion cells 110P through a plurality of contact patches 400 (oneof which contact patch is illustrated in FIG. 4) formed between negativeterminals 310 (FIG. 4) of the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P andthe thermal dissipation member 130. The thermal dissipation member 130is also thermally coupled to the housing 140 for transferring thermalenergy to the housing 140. The coupling between the thermal dissipationmember 130 and the housing 140 may be an abutting contact wheresubstantially an entire major surface 131 of the thermal dissipationmember 130 is in abutting contact with a corresponding surface 141 ofthe housing 140.

The thermal coupling between the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P andthe thermal dissipation member 130 and the thermal coupling between thethermal dissipation member 130 and the housing 140 are such that thermalenergy from one of the lithium-ion cells 110 is dissipated to one ormore of the housing 140 and other lithium-ion cells 110 of the pluralityof lithium-ion cells 110P so as to maintain the one of the lithium-ioncells 110 below a predetermined temperature (or reduce the likelihoodthat the temperature will go above the predetermined temperature). Inone aspect, the predetermined temperature may be an upper limit of thenormal operating temperature of the lithium-ion cell 110. In anotheraspect, the predetermined temperature is less than a thermal runawaytemperature of the lithium-ion cell 110. To dissipate thermal energyfrom the lithium-ion cells 110 during normal operation and during athermal runaway event of at least one lithium-ion cell, the thermaldissipation member 130 has a thermal conductivity of about 3.50BTU/hr-ft-° F. (about 19.8 W/m²-° C.) or greater.

Disposing the thermal dissipation member 130 between the cell supportstructure 120 (and the lithium-ion cells 110 disposed therein) and thehousing 140 electrically isolates the lithium-ion cells 110 from thehousing 140 (e.g., prevents electrical contact between the lithium-ioncells 110 and the housing 140) and from each other. For example, thethermal dissipation member 130 has an electrical isolation or breakdownvoltage of about 5,000 Vdc or greater. As described, herein the lowelectrical conductivity of the thermal dissipation member 130 providesfor each lithium-ion cell 110 in the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110Pto be directly coupled to the thermal dissipation member through theopen end 201 (FIG. 2) of the cell support structure 120.

In accordance with the aspects of the present disclosure all electricalcouplings between the lithium-ion cells 110 are disposed on a side ofthe cell support structure 120 that is opposite the thermal dissipationmember 130. For example, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each lithium-ioncell 110 includes a negative terminal 310 and a positive terminal 320.The negative terminal 310 includes a negative lead 311 that extends fromthe negative terminal 310 along a longitudinal axis 119 (adjacent a sideof the lithium-ion cell 110) beyond the positive terminal 320 so as tocouple with circuit board 160. The positive terminal 320 also includes apositive lead 321 that extends from the positive terminal 320 to couplewith the circuit board 160. Providing the positive and negativeelectrical couplings of the lithium-ion cells on a common side of theplurality of lithium-ion cells 110P facilitates the coupling of thelithium-ion cells 110 to the thermal dissipation member 130 in anelectrically isolated manner. Providing the positive and negativeelectrical couplings of the lithium-ion cells on a common side of theplurality of lithium-ion cells 110P also provides for the thermal energytransfer from the lithium-ion cells 110 to the thermal dissipationmember 130 and the housing 140 without interfering with the electricalcouplings of the lithium-ion cells 110.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the apparatus 100 also includes at least oneretainer plate 150 and at least one circuit board 160 (FIGS. 2-5). Theat least one retainer plate 150 is coupled to the cell support structure120 opposite the thermal dissipation member 130, so that the pluralityof lithium-ion cells 110P extend from the cell support structure 120into the at least one retainer plate 150. The at least one circuit board160 is be coupled to a side of the at least one retainer plate 150opposite the cell support structure 120. The at least one retainer plate150 may be a monolithic member that receives the lithium-ion cells ofeach of the lithium-ion cell groups 111-115. Here the at least onecircuit board may be configured such that each lithium-ion cell group111-115 is electrically isolated from the other lithium-ion cell groups111-115 so that the lithium-ion cell groups 111-115 are arranged inparallel with each other. In other aspects, the at least one retainerplate 150 includes two or more retainer plate modules 151-155corresponding to a respective one of the lithium-ion cell groups111-115. Each retainer plate module 151-155 may include a respectivecircuit board 161-165 coupled thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 2-6, the at least one retainer plate 150 may beconstructed of any suitable material having the physical properties suchas an electrical isolation of about 3,000 kV/inch or greater, a thermalconductivity of about 0.17 BTU/hr-ft-° F. (about 1 W/m²-° C.) or less, aspecific heat of about 0.52 BTU/lbm-° F. (about 2 kJ/kg-° C.) or less,and a melting point of about 700° F. or greater. On suitable exemplarymaterial of which the retainer plate 150 may be constructed ispolyether-ether-ketone. The retainer plate 150 may prevent lithium-ioncells from shorting, prevent heat transfer between lithium-ion cells,and absorb thermal energy during a thermal runaway event so thatlithium-ion cells surrounding a thermal runaway event maintain normaloperating temperatures (such as those described herein) or reduce thelikelihood of the lithium-ion cells surrounding a thermal runaway eventexceeding the normal operating temperatures. The at least one retainerplate 150 includes a plurality of complimenting chambers 600 (FIG. 6)that complement the plurality of chambers 127P of the cell supportstructure 120. As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, a respectivelithium-ion cell 110 extends from open end 200 of a respective chamber127 of the cell support structure 120 to a respective complimentingchamber 600 of the at least one retainer plate 150. The complimentingchambers 600 may be configured to retain ruptured components (e.g., thepositive terminal 320, electrolyte 118 (see FIG. 3), etc.) of therespective lithium-ion cell 110. For example, with reference again toFIG. 6, the complimenting chambers 600 each include an overflowreservoir 610 configured to receive and isolate the ruptured componentsof the respective lithium-ion cell 110 from other lithium-ion cells 110of the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P.

Each of the complimenting chambers 600 include standoffs 620 configuredto maintain a predetermined venting space 450 (FIG. 4) between an end460 (FIG. 4) of the respective lithium-ion cell 110 and the at least oneretainer plate 150. The standoffs 620 may also maintain pressure on therespective lithium-ion cell 110, so as to substantially prevent the end460 of the respective lithium-ion cell 110 from separating from the restof the respective lithium-ion cell 110 during a thermal runaway event.For example, the venting space 450 may at least form a plenum with theoverflow reservoir 610 and be suitably sized to allow gases to vent fromthe end 460 into the venting space 450. In other aspects, the ventingspace 450 may include a plenum 470 (FIGS. 4, 4A, and 4B) formed betweenthe at least one retainer plate 150 and the at least one circuit board160 where gases 471 (FIG. 4) pass from venting space 450 (e.g., throughthe overflow reservoir 610) to the plenum 470. The at least one circuitboard 160 may be spaced from the at least one retainer plate 150 in anysuitable manner, such as with any suitable standoffs, to form the plenum470. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the at least one circuit board 160may be spaced from the at least one retainer plate 150 any suitabledistance 499 to form the plenum 470. For example, in one aspect, thedistance 499 may be about 0.05 inch (1.3 mm) while in other aspects thedistance 499 may be greater or less than about 0.05 inch (1.3 mm). Theat least one circuit board 160 may be constructed of layers thatinclude, for example, a thermally dissipative negative bus layer 421 anda thermally dissipative positive bus layer 422. The negative leads 311of respective lithium-ion cells 110 are coupled to the negative buslayer 421 while the positive leads 321 are coupled to the positive buslayer 422. Any suitable fuse 420 may be disposed between the positiveleads 321 and the positive bus layer so that one lithium-ion cell 110may be taken off-line while the respective lithium-ion cell group111-115 continues to operate. The at least one circuit board 160 isconstructed so as to have a poor lithium-ion cell to cell thermal path.Each of the at least one circuit board 160 may be coupled to a maincircuit board 410 through any suitable flexible circuit(s) 490 andconnector(s) 491. The main circuit board 410 couples the lithium-ioncells 110 to electrical terminal 800 (FIGS. 7 and 8) or any suitablemodule bus (901-905). The at least one circuit board 160 and the maincircuit board 410 may be configured to provide for operability of theapparatus 100 in the event one or more respective lithium-ion cells 110coupled to the at least one circuit board 160 becomes inoperable and/orin the event a respective module 701-705 (FIG. 5) becomes inoperable.

In other aspects, referring again to FIG. 4, the at least one circuitboard may include one or more apertures 480 in communication with theventing space 450. FIG. 4 illustrates alternative magnified views of aportion of the venting space 450 and different plenums 470, 472 formedthereby and/or in communication therewith. Here a plenum 472 (FIG. 4)may be formed between the at least one circuit board 160 and a housingcover 170 (FIGS. 1 and 4) of the apparatus such that gases 471 from theventing space 450 pass through the one or more apertures 480 into theplenum 472. It is noted that the fluid communication between the ventingspace and the plenum may be configured so that the gases 471 pass fromthe venting space 450 to the plenum 470, 472 while the rupturedcomponents (e.g., the positive terminal 320, electrolyte 118, etc.) areretained within the overflow reservoir 610.

Referring still to FIGS. 2-6, one or more seals may be provided in theretainer plate so as to direct the gas 471 from the venting space to theplenum 470, 472. For example, assembly of the thermal dissipating member130, the cell support structure 120, the retainer plate 150 and thecircuit board 160 into the housing 140 may compress at least the thermaldissipating member 130, the cell support structure 120, and the retainerplate 150 together so that each composite chamber formed by theplurality of chambers 127P and respective complimenting chambers 600 issealed from other composite chambers formed by other ones of theplurality of chambers 127P and respective complimenting chambers 600. Inother aspects, any suitable seal 485 (such as an o-ring, see FIG. 4) maybe provided between the at least one retainer plate 150 and thelithium-ion cells 110 so as to direct the gases 471 towards the plenum470, 472 and prevent migration of the gases towards the thermaldissipating member 130.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and 9, the lithium-ion cells 110 may bearranged in modules 701-705 (FIG. 7). Each of the modules 701-705includes a respective cell support structure module 121-125, respectivelithium-ion cell groups 111-115, a respective retainer plate module151-155, and a respective module circuit board 161-165. The plurality oflithium-ion cells 110P are grouped into at least one module 701-705 soas to have a predetermined module voltage, such as for example about36V. As described above, each of the at least one module 701-705includes a module circuit board 161-165 coupled to the respectiveretainer plate module 151-155 and the lithium-ions cells 110 of the atleast one module 701-705 include positive leads 321 and negative leads311 that extend through the respective retainer plate module 151-155 forcoupling with the module circuit board 161-165. In one aspect, as shownin FIGS. 7 and 8, the housing 140 includes an electrical terminal 800and the module circuit board 161-165 of each of the at least one module701-705 (e.g., through the main circuit board 410 (FIG. 4A)) are coupledin parallel and provide a total power output (such as the 36V) to theelectrical terminal 800. In another aspect, as illustrated in FIG. 9,each of the at least one module 701-705 includes a module electricalterminal 801-805 that is isolated from and in parallel with the moduleelectrical terminals 801-805 of another of the at least one module701-705. Here, each of the module electrical terminals 801-805 may bearranged in parallel for coupling with a respective module bus 901-905that carries power from a respective module 701-705 to a remoteterminal(s) 910. As described above, the module circuit board 161-165may be constructed of layers that include, for example, a thermallydissipative negative bus layer 421 and a thermally dissipative positivebus layer 422. Here the module circuit board 161-165 thermally isolatesthe lithium-ion cells 110 within a respective module 701-705 from eachother.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 10 an exemplary method for thermally managinga plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P disposed within a housing 140 willbe described. The method includes thermally coupling the plurality oflithium-ion cells 110P to each other through a thermal dissipationmember 130 (FIG. 10, Block 1000) disposed between the housing 140 andthe plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P. The method also includesdissipating thermal energy from one of the plurality of lithium-ioncells 110 to at least another of the lithium-ion cells 110 through atleast the thermal dissipation member 130 (FIG. 10, Block 1005). Thermalenergy is transferred from the thermal dissipation member 130 to thehousing 140 (FIG. 10, Block 1010) where the thermal energy is dissipatedfrom the one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110 to one or more ofthe housing 140 and the other of the lithium-ion cells 110 through thethermal dissipation member 130 and the housing 140. The plurality oflithium-ion cells may be thermally insulated from each other (FIG. 10,Block 1003) with the cell support structure 120 disposed within thehousing 140, where the cell support structure 120 has the pluralitychambers 127P, and the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P are thermallycoupled to the thermal dissipation member 130 through a respective openend 201 of a respective chamber 127. In one aspect, at least two of theplurality of lithium-ion cells 110 are coupled to each other through acircuit board 160, where the method further comprises thermallyinsulating the at least two lithium-ion cells 110 from each other withthe circuit board 160. In one aspect, the dissipation of the thermalenergy maintains the plurality of lithium-ion cells below thepredetermined temperature(s) described herein (e.g., such as a thermalrunaway temperature of the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P).

Ruptured components of a respective lithium-ion cell may be retained(FIG. 10, Block 1006) within a chamber 600 of a retainer plate 150coupled to the cell support structure 120 opposite the thermaldissipation member 130. In one aspect, the ruptured components of therespective lithium-ion cell 110 are retained and isolated from otherlithium-ion cells 110 of the plurality of lithium-ion cells 110P by atleast an overflow reservoir 610 of the chamber 600 of the retainer plate150. In one aspect, at least one of the plurality of lithium-ion cellsis vented through the retainer plate 150 (FIG. 10, Block 1007).

In one aspect, the method further includes electrically isolating theplurality of lithium-ion cells 110P from the housing 140 (FIG. 10, Block1001) with the thermal dissipation member 130. The plurality oflithium-ion cells 110P may also be electrically isolated from each other(FIG. 10, Block 1002) with the thermal dissipation member 130.

The following are provided in accordance with the aspects of the presentdisclosure:

A1. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of lithium-ion cells;

a cell support structure having a plurality of chambers, each of theplurality of chambers has at least one open end and is configured tosupport a respective lithium-ion cell;

a housing in which the cell support structure is received; and

a thermal dissipation member disposed between the cell support structureand the housing;

wherein the plurality of lithium-ion cells are thermally coupled to thethermal dissipation member through a respective open end of a respectivechamber, and the thermal dissipation member is thermally coupled to thehousing.

A2. The apparatus of paragraph A1, wherein the thermal coupling betweenthe plurality of lithium-ion cells and the thermal dissipation memberand the thermal coupling between the thermal dissipation member and thehousing are such that thermal energy from one of the lithium-ion cellsis dissipated to the housing so as to maintain the one of thelithium-ion cells below a predetermined temperature.

A3. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein the thermalcoupling between the plurality of lithium-ion cells and the thermaldissipation member and the thermal coupling between the thermaldissipation member and the housing are such that thermal energy from oneof the lithium-ion cells is dissipated to other lithium-ion cells of theplurality of lithium-ion cells so as to maintain the one of thelithium-ion cells below a predetermined temperature.

A4. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A2-A3, wherein the predeterminedtemperature is less than a thermal runaway temperature of the one of thelithium-ion cells.

A5. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A4, wherein the plurality ofchambers form a honeycomb structure.

A6. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A5, wherein the cell supportstructure comprises walls that form the plurality of chambers, the wallsbeing configured to thermally insulate a lithium-ion cell disposed inone of the plurality of chambers from another lithium-ion cell disposedin an adjacent chamber of the plurality of chambers.

A7. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A6, wherein the plurality oflithium-ion cells comprise small cell lithium-ion cells.

A8. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A7, wherein the thermaldissipation member electrically isolates the plurality of lithium-ioncells from the housing.

A9. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A8, wherein the thermaldissipation member electrically isolates the plurality of lithium-ioncells from each other.

A10. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A9, wherein the thermaldissipation member is coupled to the plurality of lithium-ion cellsthrough a plurality of contact patches formed between negative terminalsof the plurality of lithium-ion cells and the thermal dissipationmember.

A11. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A10, wherein the housing iscoupled to a heat sink.

A12. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A11, further comprising atleast one retainer plate, the at least one retainer plate being coupledto the cell support structure opposite the thermal dissipation member sothat the plurality of lithium-ion cells extend from the cell supportstructure into the at least one retainer plate.

A13. The apparatus of paragraph A12, wherein the at least one retainerplate includes a plurality of complimenting chambers that complement theplurality of chambers, where a respective lithium-ion cell extends froma respective chamber to a respective complimenting chamber.

A14. The apparatus of paragraph A13, wherein the complimenting chambersare configured to retain ruptured components of the respectivelithium-ion cell.

A15. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A13-A14, wherein thecomplimenting chambers each include an overflow reservoir configured toreceive and isolate the ruptured components of the respectivelithium-ion cell from other lithium-ion cells of the plurality oflithium-ion cells.

A16. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A13-A15, wherein thecomplimenting chambers each include standoffs configured to maintain apredetermined venting space between an end of the respective lithium-ioncell and the at least one retainer plate.

A17. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A12-A16, wherein the pluralityof lithium-ion cells are grouped into at least one module having apredetermined module voltage, where each of the at least one module hasa respective retainer plate.

A18. The apparatus of paragraph A17, wherein each of the at least onemodule includes a module circuit board coupled to the respectiveretainer plate and the lithium-ions cells of the at least one moduleinclude positive and negative leads that extend through the respectiveretainer plate for coupling with the module circuit board.

A19. The apparatus of paragraph A18, wherein the housing includes anelectrical terminal and the module circuit board of each of the at leastone module are coupled in parallel and provide a total power output tothe electrical terminal.

A20. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A18-A19, wherein each of the atleast one module includes an electrical terminal that is isolated fromand in parallel with electrical terminals of another of the at least onemodule.

A21. The apparatus of any of paragraphs paragraph A18-A20, wherein themodule circuit board thermally isolates the lithium-ion cells within arespective module from each other.

A22. The apparatus of any of paragraphs A1-A21, wherein the plurality oflithium-ion cells comprise cylindrical lithium-ion cells.

B1. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of lithium-ion cells;

a housing in which the plurality of lithium-ion cells are disposed; and

a thermal dissipation member disposed between the housing and theplurality of lithium-ion cells, the thermal dissipation member beingthermally coupled to the plurality of lithium-ion cells so as todissipate thermal energy from one of the plurality of lithium-ion cellsto at least another of the lithium-ion cells, at least partially throughthe thermal dissipation member.

B2. The apparatus of paragraph B1, further comprising:

a cell support structure disposed within the housing, the cell supportstructure having a plurality chambers, each of the plurality of chambershas at least one open end and is configured to support a respectivelithium-ion cell;

wherein the plurality of lithium-ion cells are thermally coupled to thethermal dissipation member through a respective open end of a respectivechamber.

B3. The apparatus of paragraph B2, wherein the plurality of chambersform a honeycomb structure.

B4. The battery pack of any of paragraphs B2-B3, wherein the cellsupport structure comprises walls that form the plurality of chambers,the walls being configured to thermally insulate a lithium-ion celldisposed in one of the plurality of chambers from another lithium-ioncell disposed in an adjacent chamber of the plurality of chambers.

B5. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B2-B4, further comprising atleast one retainer plate, the at least one retainer plate being coupledto the cell support structure opposite the thermal dissipation member sothat the plurality of lithium-ion cells extend from the cell supportstructure into the at least one retainer plate.

B6. The apparatus of paragraph B5, wherein the at least one retainerplate includes a plurality of complimenting chambers that complement theplurality of chambers, where a respective lithium-ion cell extends froma respective chamber to a respective complimenting chamber.

B7. The apparatus of paragraph B6, wherein the complimenting chambersare configured to retain ruptured components of the respectivelithium-ion cell.

B8. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B6-B7, wherein the complimentingchambers each include an overflow reservoir configured to receive andisolate the ruptured components of the respective lithium-ion cell fromother lithium-ion cells of the plurality of lithium-ion cells.

B9. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B6-B8, wherein the complimentingchambers each include standoffs configured to maintain a predeterminedventing space between an end of the respective lithium-ion cell and theat least one retainer plate.

B10. The apparatus of paragraph B5, wherein the plurality of lithium-ioncells are grouped into at least one module having a predetermined modulevoltage, where each of the at least one module has a respective retainerplate.

B11. The apparatus of paragraph B10, wherein each of the at least onemodule includes a module circuit board coupled to the respectiveretainer plate and the lithium-ions cells of the at least one moduleinclude positive and negative leads that extend through the respectiveretainer plate for coupling with the module circuit board.

B12. The apparatus of paragraph B11, wherein the housing includes anelectrical terminal and the module circuit board of each of the at leastone module are coupled in parallel and provide a total power output tothe electrical terminal.

B13. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B11-B12, wherein each of the atleast one module includes an electrical terminal that is isolated fromand in parallel with electrical terminals of another of the at least onemodule.

B14. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B11-B12, wherein the modulecircuit board thermally isolates the lithium-ion cells within arespective module from each other.

B15. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B1-B14, wherein the thermaldissipation member is thermally coupled to the housing so as todissipate thermal energy from the one of the plurality of lithium-ioncells to the housing.

B16. The apparatus of paragraph B15, wherein the thermal couplingbetween the plurality of lithium-ion cells and the thermal dissipationmember and the thermal coupling between the thermal dissipation memberand the housing are such that thermal energy from one of the lithium-ioncells is dissipated to the housing so as to maintain the one of thelithium-ion cells below a predetermined temperature.

B17. The apparatus of paragraph B15, wherein the thermal couplingbetween the plurality of lithium-ion cells and the thermal dissipationmember and the thermal coupling between the thermal dissipation memberand the housing are such that thermal energy from one of the lithium-ioncells is dissipated to other lithium-ion cells of the plurality oflithium-ion cells so as to maintain the one of the lithium-ion cellsbelow a predetermined temperature.

B18. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B16-B17, wherein thepredetermined temperature is less than a thermal runaway temperature ofthe one of the lithium-ion cells.

B19. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B1-B18, wherein the plurality oflithium-ion cells comprise small cell lithium-ion cells.

B20. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B1-B19, wherein the thermaldissipation member electrically isolates the plurality of lithium-ioncells from the housing.

B21. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B1-B20, wherein the thermaldissipation member electrically isolates the one of the plurality oflithium-ion cells from another of the lithium-ion cells.

B22. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B1-B21, wherein the thermaldissipation member is coupled to the plurality of lithium-ion cellsthrough a plurality of contact patches formed between negative terminalsof the plurality of lithium-ion cells and the thermal dissipationmember.

B23. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B1-B22, wherein the housing iscoupled to a heat sink.

B24. The apparatus of any of paragraphs B1-B23, wherein the plurality oflithium-ion cells comprise cylindrical lithium-ion cells.

C1. A method for thermally managing a plurality of lithium-ion cellsdisposed within a housing, the method comprising:

thermally coupling the plurality of lithium-ion cells to each otherthrough a thermal dissipation member disposed between the housing andthe plurality of lithium-ion cells;

wherein thermal energy is dissipated from one of the plurality oflithium-ion cells to at least another of the lithium-ion cells throughat least the thermal dissipation member.

C2. The method of paragraph C1, further comprising transferring thermalenergy from the thermal dissipation member to the housing where thermalenergy is dissipated from the one of the plurality of lithium-ion cellsto the housing.

C3. The method of any of paragraphs C1-C2, further comprising thermallyinsulating the plurality of lithium-ion cells from each other with acell support structure disposed within the housing, wherein:

the cell support structure has a plurality chambers, each of theplurality of chambers has at least one open end and is configured tosupport a respective lithium-ion cell; and

the plurality of lithium-ion cells are thermally coupled to the thermaldissipation member through a respective open end of a respectivechamber.

C4. The method of paragraph C3, further comprising retaining rupturedcomponents of a respective lithium-ion cell within a chamber of aretainer plate coupled to the cell support structure opposite thethermal dissipation member.

C5. The method of paragraph C4, wherein the ruptured components of therespective lithium-ion cell are retained and isolated from otherlithium-ion cells of the plurality of lithium-ion cells by at least anoverflow reservoir of the chamber of the retainer plate.

C6. The method of any of paragraphs C4-C5, further comprising venting atleast one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells through the retainerplate.

C7. The method of any of paragraphs C1-C6, wherein at least two of theplurality of lithium-ion cells are coupled to each other through acircuit board, the method further comprising thermally insulating the atleast two lithium-ion cells from each other with the circuit board.

C8. The method of any of paragraphs C1-C7, wherein dissipation of thethermal energy maintains the plurality of lithium-ion cells below apredetermined temperature.

C9. The method of paragraph C8, wherein the predetermined temperature isa thermal runaway temperature of the plurality of lithium-ion cells.

C10. The method of any of paragraphs C1-C9, further comprisingelectrically isolating the plurality of lithium-ion cells from thehousing with the thermal dissipation member.

C11. The method of any of paragraphs C1-C10, further comprisingelectrically isolating the plurality of lithium-ion cells from eachother with the thermal dissipation member.

C12. The method of any of paragraphs C1-C11, further comprisingtransferring thermal energy from the thermal dissipation member to thehousing where thermal energy is dissipated from the one of the pluralityof lithium-ion cells to other lithium-ion cells through the thermaldissipation member and the housing.

In the figures, referred to above, solid lines, if any, connectingvarious elements and/or components may represent mechanical, electrical,fluid, optical, electromagnetic, wireless and other couplings and/orcombinations thereof. As used herein, “coupled” means associateddirectly as well as indirectly. For example, a member A may be directlyassociated with a member B, or may be indirectly associated therewith,e.g., via another member C. It will be understood that not allrelationships among the various disclosed elements are necessarilyrepresented. Accordingly, couplings other than those depicted in thedrawings may also exist. Dashed lines, if any, connecting blocksdesignating the various elements and/or components represent couplingssimilar in function and purpose to those represented by solid lines;however, couplings represented by the dashed lines may either beselectively provided or may relate to alternative examples of thepresent disclosure. Likewise, elements and/or components, if any,represented with dashed lines, indicate alternative examples of thepresent disclosure. One or more elements shown in solid and/or dashedlines may be omitted from a particular example without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure. Environmental elements, if any, arerepresented with dotted lines. Virtual (imaginary) elements may also beshown for clarity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some ofthe features illustrated in the figures, may be combined in various wayswithout the need to include other features described in the figures,other drawing figures, and/or the accompanying disclosure, even thoughsuch combination or combinations are not explicitly illustrated herein.Similarly, additional features not limited to the examples presented,may be combined with some or all of the features shown and describedherein.

In FIG. 10, referred to above, the blocks may represent operationsand/or portions thereof and lines connecting the various blocks do notimply any particular order or dependency of the operations or portionsthereof. Blocks represented by dashed lines indicate alternativeoperations and/or portions thereof. Dashed lines, if any, connecting thevarious blocks represent alternative dependencies of the operations orportions thereof. It will be understood that not all dependencies amongthe various disclosed operations are necessarily represented. FIG. 10and the accompanying disclosure describing the operations of themethod(s) set forth herein should not be interpreted as necessarilydetermining a sequence in which the operations are to be performed.Rather, although one illustrative order is indicated, it is to beunderstood that the sequence of the operations may be modified whenappropriate. Accordingly, certain operations may be performed in adifferent order or substantially simultaneously. Additionally, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that not all operations describedneed be performed.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may bepracticed without some or all of these particulars. In other instances,details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts will bedescribed in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understoodthat these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are usedherein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal,positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which theseterms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does notrequire or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbereditem, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

Reference herein to “one example” means that one or more feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example isincluded in at least one implementation. The phrase “one example” invarious places in the specification may or may not be referring to thesame example.

As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element,component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function isindeed capable of performing the specified function without anyalteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specifiedfunction after further modification. In other words, the system,apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware“configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected,created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for thepurpose of performing the specified function. As used herein,“configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus,structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable thesystem, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardwareto perform the specified function without further modification. Forpurposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article,element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to”perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively bedescribed as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” performthat function.

Different examples of the apparatus(es) and method(s) disclosed hereininclude a variety of components, features, and functionalities. Itshould be understood that the various examples of the apparatus(es),system(s), and method(s) disclosed herein may include any of thecomponents, features, and functionalities of any of the other examplesof the apparatus(es) and method(s) disclosed herein in any combination,and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to oneskilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having thebenefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not tobe limited to the specific examples illustrated and that modificationsand other examples are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and theassociated drawings describe examples of the present disclosure in thecontext of certain illustrative combinations of elements and/orfunctions, it should be appreciated that different combinations ofelements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementationswithout departing from the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly,parenthetical reference numerals in the appended claims are presentedfor illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scopeof the claimed subject matter to the specific examples provided in thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: supporting a plurality of lithium-ion cells disposed within respective isolation chambers of a thermally insulating cell support structure; and disposing a thermal dissipation member between a housing and the plurality of lithium-ion cells so as to collectively form a heat sink with each lithium-ion cell of the plurality of lithium-ion cells and the housing, wherein: the plurality of lithium-ion cells are disposed within the housing; the thermal dissipation member closes a respective open end of each of the respective isolation chambers to physically isolate each isolation chamber from each other isolation chamber; and the thermal dissipation member is thermally coupled to the plurality of lithium-ion cells so as to dissipate thermal energy from one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells to the housing and at least another of the plurality of lithium-ion cells, through the thermal dissipation member.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermally insulating cell support structure is disposed within the housing, and wherein the method further comprises thermally coupling the plurality of lithium-ion cells to the thermal dissipation member through the respective open ends of the respective isolation chambers.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising coupling at least one retainer plate to the cell support structure opposite the thermal dissipation member so that the plurality of lithium-ion cells extend from the cell support structure into the at least one retainer plate.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the thermally insulating cell support structure includes a plurality of chambers and the at least one retainer plate includes a plurality of complimenting chambers that complement the plurality of chambers, and wherein a respective lithium-ion cell extends from a respective chamber to a respective complimenting chamber.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising retaining ruptured components of the respective lithium-ion cell within the complimenting chambers.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising receiving and isolating the ruptured components of the respective lithium-ion cell from other lithium-ion cells of the plurality of lithium-ion cells with an overflow reservoir of respective complimenting chambers.
 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising maintaining a predetermined venting space between an end of the respective lithium-ion cell and the at least one retainer plate with standoffs of respective complimenting chambers.
 8. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of lithium-ion cells are grouped into at least one module having a predetermined module voltage, and wherein each of the at least one module has a respective retainer plate.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the at least one module includes a module circuit board coupled to the respective retainer plate and the lithium-ions cells of the at least one module include positive and negative leads that extend through the respective retainer plate for coupling with the module circuit board.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermally insulating cell support structure includes a plurality of chambers that form a honeycomb structure.
 11. A method for thermally managing a plurality of lithium-ion cells, the method comprising: thermally coupling a plurality of lithium-ion cells to each other through a thermal dissipation member disposed between a housing and the plurality of lithium-ion cells, where the lithium-ion cells are disposed within the housing; wherein thermal energy is dissipated from one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells to at least another of the plurality of lithium-ion cells through at least the thermal dissipation member which closes a respective open end of each respective isolation chamber of a cell support structure, each respective isolation chamber supporting a respective one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells so that each isolation chamber is physically isolated from each other isolation chamber.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising transferring thermal energy from the thermal dissipation member to the housing where thermal energy is dissipated from the one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells to one or more of the housing and the other of the plurality of lithium-ion cells through the thermal dissipation member and the housing.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising thermally insulating the plurality of lithium-ion cells from each other with a cell support structure disposed within the housing, wherein: the cell support structure has a plurality of chambers, wherein each of the plurality of chambers has at least one open end and is configured to support a respective lithium-ion cell; and the plurality of lithium-ion cells are thermally coupled to the thermal dissipation member through a respective open end of a respective chamber.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising retaining ruptured components of a respective lithium-ion cell within a chamber of a retainer plate coupled to the cell support structure opposite the thermal dissipation member.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the ruptured components of the respective lithium-ion cell are retained and isolated from other lithium-ion cells of the plurality of lithium-ion cells by at least an overflow reservoir of the chamber of the retainer plate.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising venting at least one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells through the retainer plate.
 17. The method claim 11, wherein at least two of the plurality of lithium-ion cells are coupled to each other through a circuit board, and wherein the method further comprises thermally insulating the at least two of the lithium-ion cells from each other with the circuit board.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein dissipation of the thermal energy maintains the plurality of lithium-ion cells below a predetermined temperature.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising one or more of: electrically isolating the plurality of lithium-ion cells from the housing with the thermal dissipation member; and electrically isolating the plurality of lithium-ion cells from each other with the thermal dissipation member.
 20. The method of claim 11, further comprising transferring thermal energy from the thermal dissipation member to the housing where thermal energy is dissipated from the one of the plurality of lithium-ion cells to other lithium-ion cells through the thermal dissipation member and the housing. 